Bifurcated stent and delivery system

ABSTRACT

Systems for delivering a bifurcated stent to a bifurcation site comprise catheters and/or bifurcated stents delivered therefrom.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application No. 60/271,506 filed Feb. 26, 2001; U.S. provisional application No. 60/271,602 filed Feb. 26, 2001; and U.S. provisional application No. 60/271,595 filed Feb. 26, 2001; the entire content of each being incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

[0002] Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Stents, grafts, stent-grafts, vena cava filters and similar implantable medical devices, collectively referred to hereinafter as stents, are radially expandable endoprostheses which are typically intravascular implants capable of being implanted transluminally and enlarged radially after being introduced percutaneously. Stents may be implanted in a variety of body lumens or vessels such as within the vascular system, urinary tracts, bile ducts, etc. Stents may be used to reinforce body vessels and to prevent restenosis following angioplasty in the vascular system. They may be self-expanding or expanded by an internal radial force, such as when mounted on a balloon.

[0004] Stents are generally tubular devices for insertion into body lumens. Balloon expandable stents require mounting over a balloon, positioning, and inflation of the balloon to expand the stent radially outward. Self-expanding stents expand into place when unconstrained, without requiring assistance from a balloon. A self-expanding stent is biased so as to expand upon release from the delivery catheter. Some stents may be characterized as hybrid stents which have some characteristics of both self-expandable and balloon expandable stents.

[0005] Stents may be constructed from a variety of materials such as stainless steel, Elgiloy, nitinol, shape memory polymers, etc. Stents may also be formed in a variety of manners as well. For example a stent may be formed by etching or cutting the stent pattern from a tube or section of stent material; a sheet of stent material may be cut or etched according to a desired stent pattern whereupon the sheet may be rolled or otherwise formed into the desired tubular or bifurcated tubular shape of the stent; one or more wires or ribbons of stent material may be braided or otherwise formed into a desired shape and pattern.

[0006] A vessel having a stenosis may be viewed as an inwardly protruding arcuate addition of hardened material to a cylindrical vessel wall, where the stenosed region presents a somewhat rigid body attached along, and to, the elastic wall. The stenosis presents resistance to any expansion of the vessel in the region bridged by the stenosis. Stenoses vary in composition, for example, in the degree of calcification, and therefore vary in properties as well.

[0007] A stent maybe used to provide a prosthetic intraluminal wall e.g. in the case of a stenosis to provide an unobstructed conduit for blood in the area of the stenosis. An endoluminal prosthesis comprises a stent which carries a prosthetic graft layer of fabric and is used e.g. to treat an aneurysm by removing the pressure on a weakened part of an artery so as to reduce the risk of embolism, or of the natural artery wall bursting. Typically, a stent or endoluminal prosthesis is implanted in a blood vessel at the site of a stenosis or aneurysm by so-called “minimally invasive techniques” in which the stent is compressed radially inwards and is delivered by a catheter to the site where it is required through the patient's skin or by a “cut down” technique in which the blood vessel concerned is exposed by minor surgical means. When the stent is positioned at the correct location, the catheter is withdrawn and the stent is caused or allowed to re-expand to a predetermined diameter in the vessel.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,886,062 discloses a vascular stent which comprises a length of sinuous or “zig-zag” wire formed into a helix; the helix defines a generally cylindrical wall which, in use, constitutes a prosthetic intraluminal wall. The sinuous configuration of the wire permits radial expansion and compression of the stent; U.S. Pat. No. 4,886,062 discloses that the stent can be delivered percutaneously and expanded in situ using a balloon catheter.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,733,665 discloses an expandable intraluminal graft which is constituted by a tubular member formed from a plurality of intersecting elongate members which permit radial expansion and compression of the stent.

[0010] EP-A-0556850 discloses an intraluminal stent which is constituted by a sinuous wire formed into a helix; juxtaposed apices of the wire are secured to one another so that each hoop of the helix is supported by its neighboring hoops to increase the overall strength of the stent and to minimize the risk of plaque herniation; in some embodiments the stent of EP-A-0556850 further comprises a tubular graft member to form an endoluminal prosthesis.

[0011] The devices cited above are generally satisfactory for the treatment of aneurysms, stenoses and other angeological diseases at sites in continuous unbifurcated portions of arteries or veins.

[0012] Within the vasculature however it is not uncommon for stenoses to form at a vessel bifurcation. A bifurcation is an area of the vasculature or other portion of the body where a first (or parent) vessel is bifurcated into two or more branch vessels. Where a stenotic lesion or lesions form at such a bifurcation, the lesion(s) can affect only one of the vessels (i.e., either of the branch vessels or the parent vessel) two of the vessels, or all three vessels. Many prior art stents however are not wholly satisfactory for use where the site of desired application of the stent is juxtaposed or extends across a bifurcation in an artery or vein such, for example, as the bifurcation in the mammalian aortic artery into the common iliac arteries.

[0013] In the case of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (“AAA”) in the infrarenal portion of the aorta which extends into one of the common iliac arteries, the use of one of the prior art prosthesis referred to above across the bifurcation into the one iliac artery will result in obstruction of the proximal end of the other common iliac artery; by-pass surgery is therefore required to connect the one iliac artery in juxtaposition with the distal end of the prosthesis to the other blocked iliac artery. It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that it is desirable to avoid surgery wherever possible; the requirement for by-pass surgery associated with the use of the prior art prosthesis in juxtaposition with a bifurcation in an artery therefore constitutes a significant disadvantage.

[0014] Another example of a vessel bifurcation is the left and right common carotid arteries. These arteries are the principal arteries of the head and neck. Both of the common carotid arteries are quite similar and divide at a carotid bifurcation or bulb into an external carotid artery and an internal carotid artery. In the region of the carotid bulb and the ostium of the internal carotid artery, stenoses present a particular problem for carotid stenting due to the large tapering of the vessel interior from the common carotid artery (both the left and the right) to the internal carotid artery. The region of the carotid bifurcation or bulb happens to be where stenoses most often occur, particularly in the region of the ostium to the internal carotid artery in both of the carotid arteries.

[0015] Embodiments of the present invention relate to endoluminal prosthesis (stents) that may be utilized in the region of a bifurcation of vessels. The present invention also embraces stent connecting means for connecting a stent (e.g. a stent which forms part of an endoluminal prosthesis or bifurcated stent) to another stent or portion thereof. Some embodiments of the invention are directed to designs of bifurcated stents and their method of manufacture, as well as apparatuses and methods for introducing prostheses to the vasculature and methods of treating angeological diseases.

[0016] All US patents and applications and all other published documents mentioned anywhere in this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0017] Without limiting the scope of the invention a brief summary of some of the claimed embodiments of the invention is set forth below. Additional details of the summarized embodiments of the invention and/or additional embodiments of the invention may be found in the Detailed Description of the Invention below.

[0018] A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification is provided as well only for the purposes of complying with 37 C.F.R. 1.72. The abstract is not intended to be used for interpreting the scope of the claims.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The present invention includes many different embodiments. Various embodiments of the invention are directed to designs of bifurcated stents and/or the methods and apparatuses utilized to deliver a bifurcated stent to a bifurcation site.

[0020] In at least one embodiment, the invention is directed to a bifurcated stent delivery system that includes a unique catheter assembly having a primary and secondary guide wire wherein the secondary guide wire diverges away from the primary guide wire through a split in the catheter housing. The split allows the catheter to deliver a bifurcated stent center first.

[0021] The bifurcated stent is an embodiment of the invention that comprises a primary stent section and a secondary stent section. When used with the above catheter, the primary section is delivered center first through the split in the catheter housing. The secondary stent section is then delivered into a secondary vessel according to the predelivery placement of the secondary guide wire.

[0022] The bifurcated stent may be a one piece design where the primary and secondary sections are engaged to one another prior to delivery or it may be a two-piece design where the primary and secondary sections are separate and distinct stent bodies that may be optionally engaged to one another during delivery. The primary and secondary stent sections are preferably self-expandable but may be either self-expandable or balloon expandable independent of one another.

[0023] In another embodiment of the invention a self-expandable bifurcated stent may be delivered by a catheter having a retractable outer sheath or sleeve that retains the bifurcated stent in a collapsed state. When the sheath is retracted the primary stent section is exposed to self-expand. In at least one embodiment the secondary stent section remains in the collapsed state within the expanded primary stent section until a pusher mechanism is actuated to cause the secondary stent section to self-expand.

[0024] In at least one embodiment of the invention, a catheter system is employed wherein two guide wires and at least two balloons are employed to deliver a single piece bifurcated stent. In at least one embodiment, the balloons are substantially parallel to one another and the bifurcated stent is placed over both balloons with a single balloon extending into each section of the bifurcated stent. As a result, the stent branches may be independently guided and expanded. Where a portion of the stent is disposed about both balloons, in some embodiments the balloons may be linked together with a restrictive collar or band of material that will limit the expandability of the balloons to prevent the stent from being over expanded, however in other embodiments the collar may be omitted.

[0025] In some embodiments of the invention the catheter may also employ two angioplasty balloons that are initially advanced to the bifurcation site prior to stent delivery.

[0026] In at least one embodiment of the invention the bifurcated stent to be delivered is a one piece bifurcation stent comprising a primary stent section and a secondary stent section, the secondary stent section is linked to the primary stent section with one or more flexible linkage members. In at least one embodiment at least four linkage members connect the stent sections. Preferably, the flexible members are substantially S-shaped and/or are selectively annealed.

[0027] In at least one embodiment, the invention is directed to a single piece bifurcated stent wherein the primary stent section and the secondary stent section are engaged together by a linkage which allows the bifurcated stent to form distinct support structures on either side of the carina of a bifurcation. Preferably, the linkage comprises at least one struts or connecting members that is shared by both stent sections. In at least one embodiment the linkage is constructed from a selectively annealed metal or other material.

[0028] In the various embodiments of the invention portions of a given catheter and/or stent may include radiopaque materials to aid in visual inspection and/or placement of the devices such as during fluoroscopy.

[0029] Additional details and/or embodiments of the invention are discussed below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] A detailed description of the invention is hereafter described with specific reference being made to the drawings.

[0031]FIG. 1 is a side view of a distal portion of a stent delivery catheter positioned at a vessel bifurcation.

[0032]FIG. 2 is a side view of the catheter of FIG. 1 shown during initial delivery of a primary stent section of a bifurcated stent.

[0033]FIG. 3 is a side view of the catheter and bifurcated stent of FIG. 2 where the primary stent section is shown in the deployed state and a secondary stent section is shown in a predeployed state.

[0034]FIG. 4 is a side view of the catheter and bifurcated stent of FIG. 3 shown during initial delivery of the secondary stent section.

[0035]FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of the catheter and stent shown in FIG. 4 wherein the primary and secondary stent sections are both shown in a deployed state.

[0036]FIG. 6 is a side view of a bifurcated stent delivery system that includes two substantially parallel balloons and guide wires.

[0037]FIG. 7 is a side view of a bifurcated stent delivery system wherein the catheter includes a restrictive band where the stent is disposed about both balloons.

[0038]FIG. 8 is a side view of a stent delivery system wherein the system includes a pair of angioplasty balloons.

[0039]FIG. 9 is a side view of the system of FIG. 6 is shown being positioned at a bifurcation site prior to stent delivery.

[0040]FIG. 10 is a side view of the system of claim 9 wherein a first balloon is shown inflated and a primary stent section is shown in an expanded state.

[0041]FIG. 11 is a side view of the system of claim 10 wherein a second balloon is shown inflated and a secondary stent section is shown in an expanded state.

[0042]FIG. 12 is a side view of the system shown in FIG. 11 wherein both balloons are inflated.

[0043]FIG. 13 is a side view of the system of claim 12 wherein the balloons are shown in an uninflated state prior to stent delivery and the sections of the bifurcated stent are shown in a deployed state.

[0044]FIG. 14 is an enlarged side view of a bifurcated stent wherein the stent sections are connected by one or more linkage members.

[0045]FIG. 15 is an enlarged side view of a bifurcated stent wherein the stent sections are connected by one or more linkage members.

[0046]FIG. 16 is a side view of a bifurcated stent wherein the stent sections are connected by an actuated linkage assembly.

[0047]FIG. 17 is a side view of a bifurcated stent wherein the primary stent section does not extend substantially beyond the carina when deployed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0048] As indicated above the present invention includes many different embodiments. In some embodiments the invention is directed to various designs of bifurcated stents, their delivery systems and methods of use.

[0049] In FIG. 1 an embodiment of the invention is shown which comprises a bifurcated stent delivery system shown generally at 100. System 100 includes a catheter 10 that is advanced to a bifurcation site 20 along a primary guide wire 12 and a secondary guide wire 14. In use, the primary guide wire 12 and secondary guide wire 14 are advanced into a body lumen or vessel an advanced into the primary vessel 22. At the bifurcation site 20 the secondary guide wire 14 is directed into a secondary vessel 24 causing the guide wires 12 and 14 to diverge about the carina 26. Catheter 10 is advanced along the shared path of the guide wires 12 and 14 until it reaches the carina 26.

[0050] In order to accommodate the divergent path of the secondary guide wire 14, the catheter 10 includes a spilt area 30 where the secondary guide wire 14 exits the catheter 10. The spilt area 30 is a gap between two portions of the outer housing 32 of the catheter 10. The housing 32 may be characterized as a sheath, sleeve, sock or any other assembly suitable for retaining a stent in its collapsed state onto a stent receiving region of a catheter. Some examples of such stent retaining devices are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,950,227 to Savin et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,341 to Solar; U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,416 to Ryan et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,968,069 to Dusbabek et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,068,634, to Cornelius et al.; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,571,168; 5,733,267; 5,772,669; and 5,534,007 all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0051] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the housing 32 comprises a distal sleeve 34 and a proximal sleeve 36. As is more clearly shown in FIG. 2, sleeves 34 and 36 overlay a stent retaining region 38 of the catheter 10. Sleeves 34 and 36 may be self-retracting or include one or more pullback mechanisms (not-shown) such as are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,571,135 and 5,445,646 both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0052] In FIG. 1 the sleeves 34 and 36 overlay the bifurcated stent 50, shown in FIG. 2, which is disposed about a stent retaining region 38. Stent retaining region 38 may include a balloon or other inflatable area for use in expanding and/or seating stent 50. Stent 50 may be balloon expandable, self-expanding or a hybrid type stent.

[0053] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2-4 the bifurcated stent 50 comprises a primary stent section 52 and a secondary stent section 54. Preferably, both sections 52 and 54 are self-expanding stent bodies though the individual stent sections may have different expansion characteristics as desired. In addition, the sections 52 and 54 of the bifurcated stent 50 may be individual stent bodies that are separately advanced and deployed forming stent 50 once they are fully deployed, or they may be integrally formed or otherwise connected prior to their deployment.

[0054] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the housing portions or sleeves 34 and 36 have been withdrawn from about the bifurcated stent 50. As the sleeves 34 and 36 are withdrawn from the primary stent section 52 will begin to radially expand in a center first manner through the split area 30. When the sleeves 34 and 36 are fully withdrawn, such as is shown in FIG. 3 the primary stent section 52 is completely freed from the stent retaining region 38.

[0055] If the stent section 52 and 54 are not integral to each other or otherwise linked prior to delivery, upon expansion of the primary section 52 the secondary section may be advanced along the secondary guide wire 14 and advanced to an opening 62 in the wall 64 of the primary stent section 52. Opening 62 may be any diameter or shape but preferably is sized to accommodate the outer diameter of the secondary stent section 54 as well as the inner diameter of the secondary vessel 24.

[0056] Whether the secondary stent section 54 is engaged to the primary stent section 52 or separate therefrom prior to deployment, when the secondary stent section 54 is in position at opening 62 and the primary section 52 has been expanded, the secondary stent section 54 is then deployed into the secondary vessel 24, such as is shown in FIG. 4. The position of the stent 50 at the bifurcation site maybe visually established through the use of a radiopaque marker 90, discussed in greater detail below.

[0057] In at least one embodiment, where the secondary stent section 54 is at least partially constructed from a shape memory material, such as nitinol, the secondary stent section 54 will self expand according to a preprogrammed shape memory, such that the section both radially and longitudinally expands into the secondary vessel 24. In some embodiments, catheter 10 may include a pusher assembly 70 that is advanced along the secondary guide wire 14 to trigger expansion of the secondary stent section 54. Pusher assembly 70 may provide a stimulus which causes the section 54 to expand. Such a stimulus may be in the form of a simple mechanical engagement; delivery of an electrical current; or delivery of a predetermined temperature and/or a predetermined pH, such as by the release of a heated saline bolus. In some embodiments, a separate balloon catheter or other inflation device may be advanced along the secondary guide wire 14 to fully expand and/or seat the secondary stent section 54.

[0058] When both stent sections 52 and 54 are fully deployed, such as is shown in FIG. 5, the proximal end of the secondary stent section 54 is preferably engaged to the wall 64 of the primary stent section 52. When fully deployed the primary stent section 52 defines a primary flow path 72 and the secondary stent section defines a secondary flow path 74 that is in fluid communication with the primary flow path via opening 62.

[0059] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, such as is shown in FIG. 6, system 100 may be provided with catheter 10 that is equipped with at least two balloons, a primary balloon 80 and a secondary balloon 82, which may be utilized for expansion and/or seating stent sections 52 and 54.

[0060] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 the bifurcated stent 50 may be constructed from stainless steel or other material that necessitates or would benefit from balloon expansion. As with previous embodiments, the catheter 10 includes a pair of guide wires 12 and 14 which are advanced to the bifurcation site 20 and which diverge at the carina 26 with the secondary guide wire 14 advancing into the secondary vessel 24.

[0061] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, during most of the advancement of the catheter 10 the balloons 80 and 82 are positioned together in the substantially parallel orientation shown. However, as the catheter 10 approaches the bifurcation site 20 the distal portion 86 of secondary balloon 82 and secondary stent section 54 are directed along the secondary guide wire 14 into the secondary vessel 24 as shown in FIG. 9.

[0062] In order to ensure that the bifurcated stent will provide adequate support to the vessels 22 and 24 of the bifurcation site, and particularly to the area of the carina 26, the catheter 10 may include a radiopaque marker 90. Marker 90 allows a practitioner to advance the catheter 10 to the bifurcation site 20 and visually determine through fluoroscopy or other means that the balloons 80 and 82 and stent sections 52 and 54 are properly positioned about the carina 26.

[0063] Marker 90 may be constructed from any radiopaque material and is preferably part of the bifurcated stent 50.

[0064] Once it is determined that the stent 50 is in proper position at the bifurcation site 20, the primary balloon 80 is inflated to expand the primary stent section 52 as shown in FIG. 10. After the initial expansion of the primary stent section 52, the secondary balloon 82 is inflated to initially expand the secondary stent 54 shown in FIG. 11.

[0065] In some embodiments it may be preferable to first deflate the primary balloon 80 before inflating the secondary balloon 82. In some embodiments where balloon 80 is deflated prior to inflation of balloon 82, balloon 80 may be subsequently inflated after inflation of balloon 82 to fully expand the stent and seat it in place within the bifurcation such as is shown in FIG. 12. Alternatively, balloons 80 and 82 may be inflated simultaneously.

[0066] Once both stent sections 52 and 54 are fully expanded, the balloons 80 and 82 are deflated and with drawn from the bifurcation site 20, such as is depicted in FIG. 13

[0067] Because some bifurcated stents may be subject to distortion or damage when over expanded or subjected to high radially outward acting pressure, in some embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 7, the proximal portion 88 of balloons 80 and 82, where both balloons are contained within the primary stent section 52, the catheter 10 may employ a circumferential band 92 that will limit the expandability of the proximal portion 88 of balloons 80 and 82, thereby preventing over inflation and over expansion of the primary stent portion 54 when both balloons are inflated. Band 92 may be constructed from any minimally or non-expandable material such as polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) or stainless steel.

[0068] In some applications, it may be beneficial or necessary to conduct an angioplasty procedure prior to insertion of the bifurcated stent 50. As a result, in at least one embodiment of the invention, an example of which is shown in FIG. 8, the catheter 10 may be equipped with a primary angioplasty balloon 94 and a secondary angioplasty balloon 96. In practice balloons 94 and 96 may be initially advanced to the bifurcation site 20 along guide wires 12 and 14 respectively. Upon reaching the bifurcation site 20, the balloons 94 and 96 may be inflated to reduce any stenosis or blockage 98 that may be present. After the blockage 98 is reduced, the balloons 94 and 96 may be deflated and advanced along the guide wires 12 and 14 into the respective vessels 22 and 24 thereby allowing balloons 80 and 82 to be positioned at the bifurcation site 20 to delivery the bifurcated stent 50.

[0069] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6-13, the bifurcated stent 50 may be a single piece design, where sections 52 and 54 are engaged to one another prior to and after delivery; or the stent 50 may be a two-piece design where both sections 52 and 54 are independent stent bodies that are separate prior to delivery and which may continue to be separate or which may become engaged to one another during or after delivery.

[0070] In embodiments where the stent 50 is a one-piece design, the stent sections may be engaged together by one or more linkage member 102 such as are shown in FIGS. 14-16. In FIGS. 14 and 15 the sections 52 and 54 are connected by at least 4 linkage members 102. In at least one embodiment, the sections 52 and 54 are connected by at least 8 linkage members 102. Linkage members 102 maybe characterized as struts or connecting members 104 that are shared between sections 52 and 54. In a preferred embodiment, the members 102 are selectively annealed to provide the bifurcated stent 50 with improved flexibility between sections 52 and 54. By selectively annealing the members 102, the secondary stent section 52 may be articulated relative to the primary stent section 54 such that the bifurcated stent sections 52 and 54 may be provided with an angular relationship of about 90 degrees, indicated at reference numeral 106 in FIG. 15, or a more acute angle 108 shown in FIG. 14. By providing a bifurcated stent 50 that has sections 52 and 54 that may be oriented at a variety of angles, a single stent may be used to address a variety of different angular relationships between vessels of various bifurcation sites within a body. Preferably, the angular relationship between sections 52 and 54 defines an angle of about 10 degrees to about 120 degrees.

[0071] In at least one embodiment, the linkage members 102 are provided with a curvilinear or S-shaped configuration such as is best shown in FIG. 15. The S-shape of the linkage members aid in providing the bifurcated stent 50 with the ability to articulate about vessel junctions of various angles.

[0072] In at least one embodiment, shown in FIG. 16 the sections 52 and 54 of a bifurcated stent 50 are linked by a single linkage member 102. When inserted at a bifurcation site 20, the single linkage member is positioned at the carina 26 and acts as a hinge to allow the sections 52 and 54 to be disposed about the carina 26.

[0073] In at least one embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 17, stent 50 includes a primary stent section 52 which does not extend distally beyond the carina 26. As a result the stent 50 may be advanced and positioned at the bifurcation site 20 by a singe guide wire 14 which extends into the secondary branch 24. Use of a marker 90 allows a practitioner to position the stent 50 by abutting the marker adjacent to the carina 26 and deploying the stent as shown. The stent 50 may include sections that are either balloon expandable, self-expandable, or hybrid expandable as desired. In the embodiment shown, primary stent section 52 is balloon expandable, and secondary stent section 54 is self-expandable.

[0074] In addition to being directed to the specific combinations of features claimed below, the invention is also directed to embodiments having other combinations of the dependent features claimed below and other combinations of the features described above.

[0075] The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive. This description will suggest many variations and alternatives to one of ordinary skill in this art. All these alternatives and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims where the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to”. Those familiar with the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein which equivalents are also intended to be encompassed by the claims.

[0076] Further, the particular features presented in the dependent claims can be combined with each other in other manners within the scope of the invention such that the invention should be recognized as also specifically directed to other embodiments having any other possible combination of the features of the dependent claims. For instance, for purposes of claim publication, any dependent claim which follows should be taken as alternatively written in a multiple dependent form from all prior claims which possess all antecedents referenced in such dependent claim if such multiple dependent format is an accepted format within the jurisdiction (e.g. each claim depending directly from claim 1 should be alternatively taken as depending from all previous claims). In jurisdictions where multiple dependent claim formats are restricted, the following dependent claims should each be also taken as alternatively written in each singly dependent claim format which creates a dependency from a prior antecedent-possessing claim other than the specific claim listed in such dependent claim below. 

1. A system for deploying a bifurcated stent to a bifurcation site, the system comprising a catheter, the catheter being adapted for insertion into a body vessel, the catheter being advanced to the bifurcation site along a primary guide wire and a secondary guide wire, the catheter having a stent retaining region for retaining the bifurcated stent in an unexpanded state thereon, the catheter having a closed configuration and an open configuration, in the closed configuration a proximal housing and a distal housing overlie the stent retaining region, in the closed the proximal housing and the distal housing being immediately adjacent to one another to define a split region, in the open configuration the proximal housing and the distal housing being separated to enlarge the spit region and expose the stent retaining region, in the open configuration at least a portion of the bifurcated stent being released from the stent retaining region through the spit region to expand from the unexpanded state to an expanded state.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the primary stent section is balloon expandable, self-expandable, or hybrid expandable.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the stent retaining region comprises an expandable balloon.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the bifurcated stent comprises a primary stent section and a secondary stent section, the at least a portion of the bifurcated stent being at least a portion of the primary stent section.
 5. The system of claim 4 wherein the primary stent section having a first end and a second end the first end defining a proximal opening and the second end defining a distal opening, in the expanded configuration the primary stent section defining a primary flow path between the proximal opening and the distal opening.
 6. The system of claim 5 wherein the primary stent section defines a secondary opening, an end of the secondary stent section being engaged to a portion of the primary stent section defining the secondary opening, the secondary stent section defining a secondary flow path, the secondary flow path being in fluid communication with the primary flow path through the secondary opening.
 7. The system of claim 6 wherein the end of the secondary stent section is removeably engaged to the portion of the primary stent section defining the secondary opening.
 8. The system of claim 6 wherein the secondary stent section and the primary stent section are integrally formed.
 9. The system of claim 6 wherein in the expanded state the secondary stent section is positioned within a secondary vessel of the bifurcation site.
 10. The system of claim 9 wherein the catheter further comprises a pusher mechanism, the pusher mechanism being engaged to the secondary guide wire, the pusher mechanism constructed and arranged to initiate expansion of the secondary stent section from the unexpanded state to the expanded state.
 11. The system of claim 10 wherein the pusher mechanism provides at least one stimulus to the secondary stent section in the unexpanded state, the at least one stimulus selected from the group consisting of: a predetermined electric stimulus, a predetermined mechanical stimulus, a predetermined chemical stimulus, a predetermined temperature stimulus and any combination thereof.
 12. The system of claim 9 wherein the secondary guide wire is constructed and arranged to guide the secondary stent section into the secondary vessel.
 13. The system of claim 9 wherein the secondary stent section is expanded into the secondary vessel after the primary stent section is expanded to the expanded state.
 14. The system of claim 2 wherein the secondary stent section is self-expandable.
 15. The system of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the bifurcated stent is constructed from a shape-memory material.
 16. The system of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the bifurcated stent is constructed from a metal selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, nitinol, Elgiloy, shape-memory material, and any combination thereof.
 17. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the proximal housing and the distal housing is selected from the group consisting of a retractable sleeve, retractable sheath, retractable sock or any combination thereof.
 18. The system of claim 4 further comprising at least one radiopaque marker.
 19. The system of claim 18 wherein the at least one radiopaque marker is positioned on the bifurcated stent.
 20. The system of claim 19 wherein the at least one radiopaque marker is positioned on the bifurcated stent approximately at a junction of the primary stent section and secondary stent section.
 21. The system of claim 19 wherein the at least one radiopaque marker is a portion of the bifurcated stent.
 22. A stent delivery system comprising: a catheter, the catheter being adapted for insertion into a body vessel and advancement to a bifurcation site along a primary guide wire and a secondary guide wire, the catheter having: a primary angioplasty balloon and a secondary angioplasty balloon, the primary angioplasty balloon being advanced to the bifurcation site along the primary guide wire, the secondary angioplasty balloon being advanced to the bifurcation site along the secondary guide wire, the secondary guide wire guiding the secondary angioplasty balloon into a secondary vessel of the bifurcation site, the primary guide wire guiding the primary angioplasty balloon into a primary vessel of the bifurcation site, and a primary stent delivery balloon and a secondary stent delivery balloon, the primary stent delivery balloon being advanced to the bifurcation site along the primary guide wire, the primary stent delivery balloon being positioned on the primary guide wire proximal to the primary angioplasty balloon, the secondary stent delivery balloon being advanced to the bifurcation site along the secondary guide wire, the secondary stent delivery balloon being positioned on the secondary guide wire proximal to the primary angioplasty balloon.
 23. The system of claim 22 further comprising a bifurcated stent, the bifurcated stent being disposed about at least a portion of the primary balloon and secondary balloon, the bifurcated stent having an unexpanded configuration and being expandable to an expanded configuration, the bifurcated stent having a primary stent section and a secondary stent section, the primary stent section having a proximal region and a distal region, in the unexpanded configuration the proximal region of the primary stent section being disposed about at least a portion of the primary balloon and the secondary balloon, in the unexpanded state the secondary stent portion is disposed about only the secondary balloon.
 24. The system of claim 23 further comprising at least one radiopaque marker.
 25. The system of claim 24 wherein the at least one radiopaque marker is positioned on the bifurcated stent.
 26. The system of claim 25 wherein the at least one radiopaque marker is positioned on the bifurcated stent approximately at a junction of the primary stent section and secondary stent section.
 27. The system of claim 25 wherein the at least one radiopaque marker is a portion of the bifurcated stent.
 28. The system of claim 22 wherein at least a portion of the bifurcated stent is constructed from a shape-memory material.
 29. The system of claim 22 wherein at least a portion of the bifurcated stent is constructed from a metal selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, nitinol, Elgiloy, shape-memory material, and any combination thereof.
 30. The system of claim 23 further comprising an expansion resistant band, the band being disposed about at least a portion of the primary stent delivery balloon and at least a portion of the secondary stent delivery balloon, in the unexpanded state the proximal portion of the primary stent section being disposed about the band.
 31. The system of claim 30 wherein the band is constructed from at least one material from the group consisting of PET, stainless steel.
 32. A bifurcated stent comprising: a first stent section, the first stent section being expandable from a predeployed state to a deployed state, in the deployed state the first stent section defining a primary flow path; a second stent section, the second stent section being expandable from a predeployed state to a deployed state, in the deployed state the second stent section defining a secondary flow path, the secondary flow path in fluid communication with the primary flow path, the first stent section the second stent section being expandable independently from one another; and at least one linkage member, the at least one linkage member linking an end of the secondary stent section to a portion of the first stent section, the at least one linkage member constructed and arranged to provide an articulated engagement between the first stent section and the second stent section.
 33. The stent of claim of claim 32 wherein the articulated engagement between the first stent section and the second stent section defining an angular range of about 10 degrees to about 120 degrees.
 34. The stent of claim 32 wherein the at least one linkage member is constructed and arranged to provide a bendable hinge between the first stent section and the second stent section.
 35. The stent of claim 32 wherein the at least one linkage member has a substantially curvilinear shape.
 36. The stent of claim 32 wherein the at least one linkage member is characterized as being substantially S-shaped.
 37. The stent of claim 32 wherein the at least one linkage member is constructed from metal.
 38. The stent of claim 32 wherein the at least one linkage member is constructed from a shape memory metal.
 39. The stent of claim 38 herein at least a portion of the at least one linkage member is selectively annealed.
 40. The stent of claim 32 wherein the at least one linkage member comprises at least four linkage members.
 41. The stent of claim 32 wherein the at least one linkage member comprises at least eight linkage members.
 42. A bifurcated stent expandable from an unexpanded state to an expanded state for implantation at a bifurcation site, the stent comprising: a first stent section, the first stent section being expandable from a predeployed state to a deployed state, in the deployed state the first stent section defining a primary flow path; a second stent section, the second stent section being expandable from a predeployed state to a deployed state, in the deployed state the second stent section defining a secondary flow path, the secondary flow path in fluid communication with the primary flow path, the first stent section the second stent section being expandable independently from one another, in the deployed state the first stent section being deployed into a primary vessel of the bifurcation site adjacent to the carina, in the deployed state the secondary stent section being deployed into a secondary vessel of the bifurcation site, in the deployed state the first stent section extending across the secondary vessel but not substantially beyond the carina of the bifurcation site. 